6 Days Safari for Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Uganda is the most complete short primate holiday you can take in Africa. In under a week you track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, cruise among hippos and elephants in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and spend a life-changing hour with endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This guide covers the full day-by-day itinerary, 2026 permit costs, the best time to travel, where to stay and what to pack, so you can plan with confidence.
At Uganda Safari Holidays, we design primate journeys that balance adventure, comfort and value. Whether you travel as a couple, a family or a solo explorer, this route shows you the very best of the Pearl of Africa in six unforgettable days.
Why Uganda Is the Best Country for Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking
Uganda is the only destination in the world where you can see mountain gorillas and large habituated chimpanzee communities on the same short trip. Roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the neighboring Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Kibale, meanwhile, holds one of the highest primate densities on the continent, with 13 primate species.
Value is the second big reason. A Uganda gorilla permit costs about half the price of a permit in Rwanda, which frees up budget for better lodges or extra activities. The country also packs savannah game drives, crater lakes, tea plantations and warm cultural encounters between its forests, so the drives between parks become part of the adventure.
Finally, Uganda’s gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking experiences are run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) with strict group limits. That means small groups, experienced rangers and a calm, respectful encounter with the animals. You can read more about the country itself on this Uganda travel overview.
6 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Itinerary at a Glance
The route runs as a loop through western Uganda, starting and ending in Entebbe or Kampala. Each overnight stop sits close to the next morning’s activity, so you spend your energy on wildlife rather than long early drives.
| Day | Route | Main highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entebbe/Kampala to Kibale | Scenic drive, Fort Portal crater lakes | Kibale area |
| 2 | Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Wetland walk | Kibale area |
| 3 | Kibale to Queen Elizabeth | Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Queen Elizabeth NP |
| 4 | Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi | Morning game drive, Ishasha tree-climbing lions | Bwindi |
| 5 | Bwindi Forest | Mountain gorilla trekking, Batwa or village walk | Bwindi |
| 6 | Bwindi to Entebbe/Kampala | Drive or scheduled flight back | End of safari |
If you prefer a version that also adds Big Five style game viewing, our 6 Days Big Five and Primate Safari in Uganda follows a similar path with extra wildlife time. Travellers starting in Rwanda can choose the 6-Day Rwanda–Uganda Gorilla, Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari, which begins in Kigali.
Day 1: Arrival and Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Your guide meets you at your Entebbe or Kampala hotel after breakfast for the drive west toward Fort Portal. The journey takes about five to six hours on good tarmac, passing papyrus swamps, banana plantations, rolling tea estates and busy trading towns. Your guide stops for lunch and for photos of the Rwenzori Mountains when the clouds lift.
In the late afternoon you check in near Kibale Forest National Park. If time allows, take a short walk to one of the crater lakes around Fort Portal, such as Lake Nyabikere or Lake Nkuruba. Dinner and an early night prepare you for tomorrow’s chimpanzee trek.
Private safaris run in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing. If you plan to self-drive or extend your trip, this Uganda car hire service explains the vehicle options available.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and the Bigodi Wetland Walk
Today is the first primate highlight of your 6 days safari for gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda. After an early breakfast you report to the Kanyanchu visitor centre for a ranger briefing at around 8:00 am. Groups of up to eight people then head into the forest to find a habituated chimpanzee community of more than 100 individuals.
Tracking usually takes two to four hours, and you spend one hour with the chimps once they are found. Listen for their pant-hoots echoing through the canopy before you see them. You may watch them feed in fig trees, groom one another, or drum on buttress roots as they move. Keep an eye out for red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys along the trail.
In the afternoon, join the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk. This easy two to three hour boardwalk trail is a birding hotspot with the great blue turaco and papyrus gonolek, plus several monkey species. Fees go straight to local school and community projects.
If chimps are your main interest, you can extend this part of the trip with our 3 Days Chimp Trekking Safari in Kibale National Park. Another good short option is this 3-day chimpanzee tracking safari. For a full chimp habituation experience of up to four hours, ask us to arrange it in advance.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After breakfast, drive south for about three hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited savannah park. On the way you cross the Equator near Kasese and pass the Katwe crater fields with their old salt lakes. You arrive in time for lunch at your lodge.
The afternoon brings a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel banks hold one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos, along with buffaloes, elephants and Nile crocodiles. Birders love it too, with African fish eagles, pelicans and pied kingfishers all along the shore.
The cruise is one of the most relaxed and photogenic moments of the safari. For a longer stay in this park alone, this 3 days Queen Elizabeth wildlife encounter adds extra game drives and crater visits. You can also see all our wildlife and adventure tours for more savannah ideas.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive, Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Drive to Bwindi
Start at sunrise with a game drive across the Kasenyi plains, when predators are most active. Look for lions, leopards, herds of Uganda kob, buffaloes, elephants and warthogs. Your guide reads tracks and radio updates to give you the best chance of a big cat sighting.
After breakfast, continue south to the remote Ishasha sector. This corner of the park is famous for lions that rest in the branches of large fig and acacia trees during the heat of the day. Spotting a lion draped over a branch is a rare sight found in only a handful of places in Africa.
From Ishasha, the road climbs into the green hills of Kigezi to Bwindi, arriving in the late afternoon. Most travellers stay in the Buhoma sector on this route, as it is the closest gorilla trailhead to Ishasha. Settle in, enjoy the forest sounds and get your gear ready for tomorrow.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This is the day the whole safari builds toward. After an early breakfast with a packed lunch, you report to the park headquarters at 7:30 am for a briefing by UWA rangers. Each habituated gorilla family is visited by a maximum of eight people per day, and you are assigned a group based on fitness and availability.
The trek can take anywhere from one to six hours through steep, muddy and thickly vegetated terrain. Porters are available at the trailhead to carry your daypack and help on slippery slopes, and hiring one supports local families. When trackers locate the family, you spend one magical hour watching a silverback, mothers and playful juveniles at a distance of about seven metres.
Few wildlife moments compare to meeting a gorilla’s gaze in the wild. After the trek, you receive a gorilla trekking certificate and return to the lodge to rest. In the afternoon you can visit a Batwa community, walk through Buhoma village, or relax with a view of the forest.
If you only have a short window for gorillas, our Short Gorilla Trekking Tour is a popular choice. You can also compare this 3-day Uganda gorillas safari for a focused trip.
Day 6: Return to Entebbe or Kampala
After a relaxed breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, which takes eight to nine hours with a lunch stop. Many travellers break the journey at the Equator line at Kayabwe for photos and souvenir shopping. You arrive in the evening for a hotel drop-off or a late international flight.
To save time, you can take a scheduled domestic flight from Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe, which takes about one hour. Some travellers instead cross to Kigali, which is only four to five hours from Bwindi. This also makes it easy to combine Uganda with Rwanda, as shown in this 4-day Rwanda–Uganda golden monkey and gorilla trek.
Want more time on the road? The 10 Days Best of Uganda Primate, Big Five and Nature Safari adds Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo to the primate highlights. You could also consider this 7 days amazing gorilla and wildlife safari for one extra day of savannah.
Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permit Costs in Uganda for 2026
Permits are the single biggest cost of any primate safari, and they are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Foreign non-residents can no longer buy them directly online, so permits must be booked through a licensed Ugandan tour operator like us.
| Permit | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking (1 hour with gorillas) | US$800 | US$700 |
| Chimpanzee tracking, Kibale | US$250 | US$200 |
| Gorilla habituation experience (up to 4 hours) | From US$1,500 | From US$1,000 |
UWA has also introduced discounted low-season permits for April, May and November, with gorilla permits reported at US$600 for foreign non-residents. Rates change from time to time, so always confirm the current price with your operator before booking. Gorilla permits sell out months ahead for June to September and December, so secure yours as soon as your dates are set.
For a full budget, add accommodation, a private 4×4 vehicle and guide, park entry fees, meals and activities such as the boat cruise. A mid-range 6-day primate safari usually falls between US$2,600 and US$4,000 per person sharing, depending on lodge level and group size. The Our Safaris page lists current package prices so you can compare.
Best Time to Go on a Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Uganda
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking run all year, but the dry seasons make hiking easier. The main dry months are June to September and December to February, when trails are firmer and photography is better. These are also the busiest months, so book permits and lodges early.
The wet seasons run from March to May and October to November. Trails are muddier and short heavy showers are common, but forests are lush, crowds are thinner and the new low-season permit discounts can cut costs. Chimpanzees are often easier to find in the wet season when fruit is plentiful.
Whichever month you choose, pack for rain. Bwindi and Kibale are rainforests, and a sudden afternoon downpour is possible at any time of year.
Where to Stay on a 6 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
Uganda offers lodges for every budget along this route. We match your accommodation to your style, from simple bandas to luxury forest lodges.
| Park | Luxury | Mid-range | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibale Forest | Kyaninga Lodge | Primate Lodge Kibale | Kibale Forest Camp |
| Queen Elizabeth | Mweya Safari Lodge | Enganzi Game Lodge | Bush Lodge |
| Ishasha / Bwindi (Buhoma) | Buhoma Lodge | Haven Lodge | Bwindi Backpackers Lodge |
All lodges listed are close to the main activity points, which keeps early morning drives short. Lodge availability changes with the season, so we suggest the best confirmed options when we build your quote. Browse our full list of destinations to see where else your safari could go.
What to Pack for Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking
Good preparation makes forest trekking far more comfortable. Pack light, layered clothing in neutral colours such as green, khaki and brown, which blend in with the forest.
- Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and strong grip
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect against nettles and insects
- A lightweight rain jacket or poncho
- Gardening or work gloves for gripping vines and branches
- Long socks to tuck trousers into, keeping out safari ants
- A small daypack with a rain cover, at least two litres of water and snacks
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- A camera with spare batteries; flash photography is not allowed
- Your passport, yellow fever vaccination card and printed permit details
A walking stick is usually provided at the trailhead. Binoculars are worth bringing for birding in Kibale, Bigodi and Queen Elizabeth.
Gorilla Trekking Rules and Fitness Tips
Rules protect both the animals and visitors, and your ranger will repeat them during the briefing. You must be at least 15 years old to trek gorillas and 12 years old to track chimpanzees in Kibale.
- Stay about seven metres away from the gorillas and chimpanzees at all times
- Do not trek if you have a cold, flu or other infectious illness, as primates catch human diseases
- Keep your voice low and avoid sudden movements
- Do not eat, drink or smoke near the animals
- Wear a face mask when asked by rangers
- Never leave rubbish in the forest
You do not need to be an athlete, but a basic level of fitness helps a lot. Walk, hike or climb stairs in the weeks before your trip. Let us know if you have limited mobility, as we can request a family that is usually closer to the trailhead, or arrange a sedan chair carried by local porters.
Starting Your Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari from Kigali
Kigali International Airport is closer to Bwindi than Entebbe, so many travellers now start their Uganda primate safari in Rwanda. The drive from Kigali to southern Bwindi takes about four to five hours, compared with eight or more from Entebbe.
If your time is very tight, our 1 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali gets you to the gorillas and back in a single long day. For both apes in a short trip, the 3 Days Gorilla and Chimps Trekking Safari from Kigali is a client favourite. You can also compare this 5-day gorilla trekking safari from Kigali to Uganda.
For travellers starting in Entebbe who want a slower pace, a night at Lake Mburo National Park breaks up the long return drive. There you can enjoy zebras, impalas and a boat ride on the lake. A shorter alternative is this 4 days Uganda primate tour.
Why Book Your Primate Safari with Uganda Safari Holidays
We are a Kampala-based team that lives and works in the places we send you. That local knowledge means we secure permits early, choose the right gorilla sector for your route, and handle every transfer so your trip runs smoothly. Learn more about us and the guides behind every journey.
- Private, tailor-made itineraries that start any day of the year
- Fast permit booking through our licensed operator status
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guides and well-maintained 4×4 vehicles
- Honest, transparent pricing with no hidden costs
- 24/7 support from arrival to departure
See the full list of reasons on our Why Choose Us page. Shorter on time? Our 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari packs gorillas and savannah into five days. For more trip ideas, read our guide to the best safari holidays in Uganda.
Frequently Asked Questions About a 6 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Uganda
Is six days enough to see gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda?
Yes. Six days gives you one full day for chimpanzee tracking, one full day for gorilla trekking, and time for a savannah game drive and boat cruise in between. It is the ideal length for first-time visitors who want both apes without rushing.
How hard is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
It ranges from moderate to strenuous depending on where the gorilla family is that day. Treks last one to six hours over steep, muddy ground, but porters, walking sticks and slow pacing make it possible for most reasonably fit travellers.
Can I see gorillas and chimps on the same day?
Not in the same park, as gorillas live in Bwindi and Mgahinga while the best chimp tracking is in Kibale. The parks are a day’s drive apart, which is why a multi-day itinerary works best.
Is a 6 days gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda safe?
Yes. Uganda’s national parks are well protected, and you travel with an experienced guide and armed UWA rangers on every trek. Follow your guide’s advice and normal travel precautions, and check your government’s latest travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa and vaccinations?
Most visitors need a Uganda e-visa applied for online before travel. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required, and anti-malaria medication is strongly recommended. Speak with a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure.
What other primate safari lengths are available?
You can go shorter or longer depending on your time. Compare this 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee tour in Uganda, the 8-day Uganda gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safari, or the 10 days Uganda primate, wildlife and cultural tour. For chimps only, read our 3 days chimpanzee trekking tour in Kibale guide.
Plan Your 6 Days Safari for Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Uganda Today
A 6 days safari for gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda delivers the two greatest ape encounters on Earth, plus lions, elephants, hippos and some of Africa’s most beautiful scenery. Permits are limited and the best lodges fill early, especially in the dry season.
Tell us your travel dates, group size and comfort level, and we will send a tailored itinerary and quote within 24 hours. Contact Uganda Safari Holidays today, call +256 200 921 002, or email info@ugandasafariholidays.com to start planning your primate adventure.
